The No. 18 Michigan women's soccer team had a successful opening weekend of play, winning two games, including a shut-out victory over No. 13 Florida. But it may not have run so smoothly if it were not for the heroics of freshman forward Therese Heaton, who scored the Wolverines' (2-0) only two goals.
She broke two Michigan records in the game with her first goal, which came just 36 seconds into her career. That goal broke the Michigan record for fastest first career goal and the fastest goal to start a season.
"Not to say that we expected it, but her play didn't surprise us," Michigan women's soccer coach Debbie Rademacher said in a press release. "She just came out ready to go. She's the kind of player who always plays hard and aggressively."
Heaton was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.
Twilight Zone
The Missouri Tigers took a pair of Big Ten teams to the limit this past weekend when they played a pair of double overtime games in the Missouri Classic.
The Tigers (1-1) were able to down No. 23 Illinois, 2-1, but fell to Indiana by the same score.
The Tigers were able to defeat the Fighting Illini (0-2), who were a player short for the last 14 minutes of regulation as well as both overtime periods. The Illini almost pulled off the tie, but in the 107th minute Missouri's Erica Pusch scored the golden goal.
After an off day, the Tigers took on the Hoosiers (1-1) and eerily went to double overtime again, but this time, Hoosiers' senior midfielder Kara Bryan slammed home the golden goal, ending Missouri's second straight game in the same minute.
"I told the girls before I came in that I would develop a way for them to win games, to be a team that finds a way to win games," Indiana women's soccer coach Mick Lyon said. "We found the way to win a tough game tonight."
Bears maul Big Ten
No. 15 California shut out two Big Ten teams this past weekend to win its fourth straight Cal Invitational.
The Golden Bears (2-0) opened their season with a 2-0 shutout of Ohio State and followed that up with another 2-0 victory over Ohio State's Big Ten cohort, Purdue.
The Bears defeated the Boilermakers (1-1) without two senior starters, forward Laura Schott and defender Kim Stocklmeir. Schott missed the game due to receiving a red card in the team's victory over the Buckeyes (0-2) and Stocklmeir missed the game due to a broken collarbone she received against Ohio State.
The Boilermakers opened their season with an upset victory, 1-0, over No. 16 St. Mary's. The Buckeyes were not as fortunate, as they fell to the Gaels, 3-1, and were winless in the Cal Invitational.
Nonetheless, Ohio State women's soccer coach Lori Walker was happy about the experience her team gained.
"We came out and had two extremely difficult games against two nationally ranked opponents," Walker said. "I think in the end that will make us a better team. I am not disappointed by any means at the team's performance."
